While growing up in rural upstate New York, Judd learned to develop film and make black and white prints from his father, in a home darkroom. His first formal education in photography began in the tenth grade when he took photography, thinking his familiarity with the process would make for an effortless class.  Following a move to the Chicago area, Judd then worked as a staff photographer on the school newspaper and yearbook his last years of high school.  Working in the field as a young boy got him "hooked"; doing well in photography contests and winning two very nice cameras at a young age, didn't hurt either!  He was well on his way to choosing photography as his career.

Tom Judd completed an A.A. degree at Elgin Community College (majoring in Visual Arts) and then earned a B.A. degree in Professional Photography from Southern Illinois University in 1980. He is experienced in many areas of commercial, product 

"A Green Heron doing his best Roadrunner imitation" Taken at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.

and portrait photography, and has taught classes in photography at the University of North Texas.  Judd is primarily a location photographer and can be reached through his website, thomasjuddphotography.com or on Facebook "Thomas Judd Photography".

 

Judd has always kept a place in his life for making photographs that are purely for his artistic enjoyment. He has been at the forefront of digital imaging, including archival printmaking techniques since the late 1990ʼs. His fine art photographs are widely exhibited, have won numerous awards, and are held in private collections throughout the United States. Tom Judd has been involved in the Visual Arts Society of Texas since it was the "North Texas Area Art League" and for many years has generously shared his expertise with VAST artists to help them present their work as professionally as possible.  Many of VAST's exhibition catalogs are made possible through the donation of Tom's time and photography skills. 

 

When one looks over the Thomas Judd Photography Facebook page, one can see that for the last six or seven years, his creative photographic interests have been capturing the fleeting moments of the many birds in the North Texas region.  Judd mentioned that his fascination first began when he noticed that there were so many varieties of birds in this area; initially he tried to shoot "documentary shots", in order to identify them once he returned home to his bird guides.  He has since turned his attention to achieving more artistic and unusual avian photographs, and has mentioned that there may be a book or exhibit in the future.

 

The topic of Tom Judd's Thursday evening presentation is "Selecting and Using Digital Cameras."  He will be showing several types of digital

"A decidedly unfriendly young Cliff Swallow (left) letting the recently fledged young Barn Swallow (right) know who is boss." Taken at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.

cameras, and explaining the differences between them. He will illustrate with examples of what each kind of camera (smart phones, compact digital cameras, mirror-less digital cameras, and DSLR cameras) can do, and will talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each type.  Judd will also cover some of the basic photographic terminology (old and new) that many people may hear used, but might not really understand. Tom Judd's presentation will end with taking photos to the next level, with image editing software on the computer. 

Marketing is an integral part of a successful artist's career.  The evening should prove to be very beneficial... don't miss it!

Juror:  Jackie MacLelland 

Eligiblity:  All artists residing within a 125-mile radius of Denton, TX

Exhibit - Gough Gallery, CVA - Denton

January 17 - February 21, 2014

Note: All entry materials, form, fee, digital images 

must be received by November 15, 2013.

 Best of Show $500; Total awards $1500+

Astists may submit up to 3 images 

at a non-refundable fee of $20 for students, 

$25 for members, and $30 for non-members.

Jackie MacLelland is a painter, printmaker, photographer, sculptor, encaustic artist, and writer who has lived, taught, and exhibited around the world.  She holds degrees from a number of universities and has attended classes and workshops in a variety of mediums in Asia, Europe and the United States.  She works from her studio in Poetry, Texas.  MacLelland has won awards for both her artwork and her writings, which have been published in both academic and popular culture venues.  Her art works are collected nationally and internationally.  Having traveled extensively, MacLelland loves to texture her work with the feel of the countries and cultures she has experienced.  

Each entering artist will receive a catalog featuring the award winning work.

This project is supported in part by a generous grant from the Greater Denton Arts Council, The Arts Guild of Denton, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For full information and prospectus, click here.

Any questions, please contact:  Jo Williams, 940.453.0817, texjo@msn.com

Critic: Millie Giles, retired Professor of Art, UNT

Critique group meets at the Central Fire Station,

across from CVA in Denton.

 4th Saturday of each month,

Sept. through May. 

Two spots are open for those artists 

who would like to take their art to the next level!

VAST sponsors this critique group which is held eight times a year. The fee is $120 payable in one or two installments. Members may bring two pieces of art to each meeting for critique. These critiques are extremely informative and educational.  You will benefit not only from your own critique, but from the critique of others. 

You can also be included on a substitute list if you choose not to come regularly.  Subs pay $15 to the critique member whose place they are taking.  

If you are interested in belonging to the group, contact Jackie Haugen at 972.317.1546 or email at waterjourney@verizon.net  

 

January 22-24, 2014 - Mike Holter 

 See Mike's work at www.michaelholter.com

 Check out his YouTube video at:  

Speed Watercolor - Michael Holter

Where:  Center for Visual Arts, Denton (corner of Hickory and Bell) 

Time:  9:30 - 4:00, with a one hour lunch break

Cost:  VAST Members:$195, Non-Members $230

___________________________________________________________

April 15-17, 2014 - Priscilla Krejci 

See Priscilla's work at www.krejci.fineartstudioonline.com     

Where:  Center for Visual Arts, Denton (corner of Hickory and Bell) 

Time:  9:30 - 4:00 with a one hour lunch break

Cost:  VAST Members:$165, 

Non-Members $200

"I love to watch colors collide
and water change a simple brush
stroke into a new and exciting form.
Integrating these wonderful happenings 

watercolor painting."  Priscilla Krejci

THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY TO BOTH WORKSHOPS:

REGISTRATION FEE:

McKinney, TX 75071

214-578-0357  kgn2507@yahoo.com

CANCELLATION BY VAST: If there are not enough participants to cover workshop costs, or if VAST must cancel for any other reason, participants will be notified by workshop coordinator and will promptly receive a full refund, including deposit.

Our 24th Annual Members Exhibition featuring art by 47 members was held in the galleries at Texas Woman's University, June 29 - August 2.  

The exhibition was dedicated to the memory of Jo Nash, who was a founding member of the North Texas Area Art League, now VAST. She remained a steadfast member and supporter of the organization since its beginning in 1975.

Juror for the exhibition was Michelle Hays, Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at Texas Woman's University. 

Allison Proulx, Hegemony

Awards:

Best of Show and Barbara B. Evans, Attorney at Law Purchase Award: Allison Proulx, Hegemony

First Place Littie Grooms Award: Ingrid Scobie, Fractured

Second Place T. Jervis and Carmen Underwood Award: 

Jackie Haugen, Grace Awakened

Third Place Mary J. Sigle Award: 

Lori MacLean, Fine Line

Third Place Pauline Morris Award: 

Carolyn Buchmann, Bubble Up and Out

Third Place Austin Street Artists Award: Jo Williams, Canyon

Fourth Place Carol Rowley Award: Lorraine Hayes, Water Woodland 2

VAST Merit Award I: Ernie Stripling, Jukebox Dreams

VAST Merit Award II: Thomas Judd, Exit Stage Right

VAST Merit Award III: Elsa Vasquez, Take Me Away

VAST Merit Award IV: Eloise Sears, Chapel Bridge Lucerne

VAST Merit Award V: Robin Butt, Marble Canyon, Grand Canyon, AZ

VAST Merit Award VI: Haley MacLean, Freeing My Soul

Gabriel Cobos Photography Award: Elva Salinas, Imagine Time Between Us

Golden Artists Colors Award: Kathy Elliott, Blue Fields

Salis International Award: Dawn Swepston, Boquillas Crossing

Ingrid Scobie,  Fractured

Funding for awards was made possible by Gail Cope, T. Jervis and Carmen Underwood, Bobby and Mary S. Morris, Barbara B. Evans, Carol Rowley, Gabriel Cobos, Golden Artist Colors, 

Jackie Haugen,  Grace Awakened

Salis International, and the Austin Street Artists: Pat 

Bethan, Jan Carr, Nancy Dallas, Nancy Donley, Jeanne Heartsill, Marie Hoffpauer, Mary S. Morris, Fran Shurtleff, Judy Uebelacker, and Jo Williams.

VAST receives generous grants from the Greater Denton Arts Council, The Arts Guild of Denton, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Denton Benefit League.

Currently in its seventh year, Merging Visions will be on exhibit April 24, 2014 - June 6, 2014 in the Meadows Gallery at the Center for Visual Arts in Denton.  VAST artists have until December 31 to review and choose poems for collaboration with a poet from the Denton Poet's Assembly.  A catalog, Collections IV, will be printed to commemorate all the works.

To see the 2014 Merging Visions Exhibition prospectus, containing the full calendar of pertinent dates, click here.

This multi-exhibit and three day conference will be held at the Frisco Discovery Center, located at 8004 N. Dallas Parkway, Frisco, TX.

Over thirty sculptures, by twelve Texas based artists will be on exhibit at the Frisco Art Gallery, September 1st through 28th.  

For two weeks, September 9 - 20 from 9am-5pm daily, the Special Events Center will house large sculptural works and installations by five selected artists. Enjoy an enormous woodblock printed installation that will partially hang from the thirty foot ceiling, a colorful fibers installation, figurative wire sculptures and more. 

Weekend of September 13-15, three day conference 

Free Event 

Some of the features of the three day conference will be:

Potter's wheel-throwing demonstrations by potters from the Mckinney Art House (arthousetx.com)

Joe Kiser, coordinator for Collin College, will conduct an interactive sculpture demonstration where participants will be able to cast their thumbs.

Friday afternoon - Tammy Meinershagen of the Frisco Music Teachers Association will fill the center with piano music.

Saturday, 11am - Encaustic Wax Demo "Texture and 3-D" by Mary Wright with The Encaustic Center (theencausticcenter.com)

Artist, Marina Shterenberg will do a demo on "Having Fun with Paper" 

Hours of the Weekend "Sculptechular" Conference are 

Fri. & Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 11am-3pm.  

Booths from local artists, universities and businesses 

will also be present.

For the full information on Sculpture Conference visit friscodiscoverycenter.org or click here.

Gough Gallery:

Deadline approaching - all entries due by Sept. 15

Open to all Texas residents

• 1st place:  $500
• 2nd place: $250
• 3rd place:  $125
• 3 Honorable mentions: $50 each

All 6 awards winners to be featured for one year in an online gallery through the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild website.

Glass, fiber, pottery, sculpture, other 3D artists welcome

Can be functional; only exception: wearables: ie. Jewelry and clothing

For more information click here or enter at: www.bastropfineartsguild.com/competitions

Submission Fee:

Non-refundable $30 for 3 Images

Up to 2 extra images for $10 each

We accept only digital file submissions of under 2MB each.

The 6 winning images will be on display in our online annex for one year at the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild website.

____________________

Bath House Cultural Center will present the 

27th Annual D�a de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Art Exhibition, October 12-November 16, 2013. 

This show will feature local, regional, and international artists working in traditional and contemporary styles to celebrate, explore, and honor people, things and ideas that have "passed on."

For many years, the D�a de los Muertos exhibitions at the Bath House have presented works of art that cover a diverse array of artistic expressions, ranging from very serious and solemn subject matter to more joyful and celebratory themes.

To read or download an exhibition prospectus with more details about this show, please visit the Bath House Cultural Center's News Center at http://www.dallasculture.org/bathHouseCultureCenter/pressRelease.asp  

Please contact Enrique Fern�ndez Cervantes at (214) 670-8723, or enrique.fernandez@dallascityhall.com, if you have any questions.

 ____________________

Park Cities Presbyterian Church

PCPC's 2013 Juried Art Show: 

"Justice and Mercy: Micah 6:8" Themed Show

Deadline:  September 30, 2013

Art Delivery Date: October 19

Entry Fee: $35 for first piece, $10 for optional 2nd piece

Awards: Top works in each category receive blue ribbons.

Three "Best of Theme" winners receive $1,000 each.

"Viewer's Choice" will receive $500.

Three themes: 1. Live Justly  2.  Love Mercy  3. Walk Humbly with your God.

For all show rules, awards, jurors, and registration: http://www.pcpcartsfestival.com  

____________________

Hunting Art Prize call for entries!

November 30, 2013 Deadline

$50,000 Prize up for Grabs!

The competition is open to artists who are legal residents of Texas and at least 18 years of age. Artwork submitted for consideration must be a single two-dimensional painting or drawing not exceeding 72 inches on any side (including frame, if any).

For questions, email info@huntingartprize.com. For further details on submission criteria, terms, and conditions, visit www.huntingartprize.com.

____________________

International Museum of Art of El Paso, Texas is accepting artwork for their 14th Annual Sun Bowl Art Exhibition. 

Deadline: October 2, 2013

Sun Bowl Art Exhibit is a revival of the great El Paso art tradition known as the Sun Carnival Art Exhibit, which began in 1949. This exhibit will showcase works by living artists and serve to enhance the International Museum of Art's permanent collection. We would like to extend an invitation to artists worldwide to be a part of this exhibition. 

Please visit our web site www.internationalmuseumofart.net. Our entry form with all pertinent information is posted here.

Any questions, email iavatx@aol.com or call us at 915-543-6747.